REVIEWS CHECKING OUT
HOTEL> The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, USA
BY STEVE HARTRIDGE The Background: Owned by Deutsche Bank, The Cosmopolitan became the latest five-star hotel in Las Vegas when it opened in late 2010. It sits on 8.5 acres of land, which is on the small side for a Las Vegas properties, but is built vertically (two towers), with a relatively small carbon footprint.
Location: Midway along Las Vegas Boulevard, or The Strip, next to The Bellagio and opposite Planet Hollywood. Depending on traffic, the hotel is around a 20-minute taxi or airport shuttle ride from McCarran International Airport.
What's its USP? It's modern and funky and oozes quality. And it's different: there’s no gambling in the hotel lobby; it’s the only hotel on The Strip featuring rooms with balconies; all retail outlets in the hotel are unique to Las Vegas; and the casino features windows (unusual in Las Vegas).
The Room: Standard rooms are a large 640 sq ft. I was in a Terrace Studio, a very spacious suite featuring a 'living area' with a work station, long couch, large flat-screen TV with over 50 stations; a bathroom with
marble floors, a kitchenette – with zebra wood cabinetry – with microwave and fridge; and a king-size bed. Sliding glass doors opened to a private terrace with views of the nearby CityCentre complex and the international airport. In-room technology lets you pre-set 'ambiances'.
Key Facilities: Three swimming pools include one overlooking the heart of The Strip. The Sahra Spa and Hamman has 30 treatment rooms and offers products and therapies influenced by the nearby desert.
The Restaurants: There are 13 on the property, including Estiatorio Mills, the only Greek restaurant on The Strip. Scarpetta is a fine-dining Italian restaurant that's the charge of award-winning chef Scott Conant. Other options include a sushi bar and grill, a French brasserie and an upmarket burger concept- restaurant. The Henry, a 24/7 dining venue next to the casino floor, serves everything from classic breakfasts – the best eggs benedicts you'll find anywhere – to classic cocktails.
Nightlife: The Chandelier, a spectacular luminous 'beaded curtain' stretches over
HOTEL> The Palazzo Las Vegas, USA
BY STEVE HARTRIDGE The Background: The Palazzo forms one half of what is probably the Las Vegas’ Strip’s best-known hotel double act;: it adjoins The Venetian, with the two hotels linked by an internal walkway.
Location: The hotel is conveniently located mid-way along The Strip. McCarran Airport is a 20-minute taxi ride away ($20). Regular shuttle buses are also available.
Check In: Many Las Vegas hotels are large, with the reception area set back a long way from the taxi drop-off point. There were eight different desks, all with two check-in staff. Despite a longish line, I was checked in and given the essential hotel map – this is a sprawling property! – within 10 minutes. I then wheeled my case through the casino area, and past a couple of restaurants, to the elevators for the guest suites.
The Room: There are seven suite categories and my entry level 'Luxury' suite on the 21st floor covered an impressive 720 sq ft. With a split level it had a king-size bed and a 42-inch flat-screen TV, and a 'sunken' dining/living area with another TV, sofa table and chairs, work
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area with fax machine and printer. Other features included dark woods, and remote control Roman shades and curtains and Japanese blinds. A large bathroom had a double-sink vanity, marble-appointed bath, power shower, enclosed toilet, another LCD TV and plush robes and slippers.
Key facilities: The Palazzo Pool Deck, with its choice of seven pools – all outside – overlooks the Las Vegas Strip. The pool deck also features four hot tubs, 41 cabanas and a cocktail bar. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub offers a range of (desert-inspired) treatments, along with fitness classes and a nutritionist. One-day passes, which get you into the fitness classes and fitness centre, cost $40. The Shoppes at The Palazzo, with more than 50 international boutique outlets, is one of the city's leading retail centres.
The Restaurants: Where to start! Including in-room dining, there are 17 choices – around 40 if you include the options at The Venetian. Best known is the fine-dining steakhouse, CUT, with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, and the innovative Sushisamba, serving a fusion of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian food.
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three floors, and is part cocktail bar, part casino bar and part art exhibit. The Marquee nightclub quickly established itself as a top spot in a city known for its exhilarating nightlife.
Where to Book It: The hotel is featured by several UK operators, including Virgin Holidays and British Airways Holidays.
The Details: 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109;
www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
The Verdict
This is a funky hotel that puts you at the heart of the action on The Strip. It provides superb oversized residential- style living – with all mod-cons and those unique-for-Vegas private terraces.
Exceptional Pass
Loved it! Farce
Nightlife: Resident shows at The Palazzo/ The Venetian include Jersey Boys, Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular and Blue Man Group. Tickets start around $80. The Tao nightclub is currently one of the 'hippest' in Vegas.
Rates: Rates start at $149 ($199 at weekends.) A variety of theatre packages, with accommodation and show tickets are available from around $225pp pn.
The Details: 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109;
www.palazzo.com
The Verdict
Recommend a stay at The Palazzo for clients looking to enjoy oversized rooms and close proximity to some of the best shows, restaurants and shops in Las Vegas.
Exceptional Pass
Loved it! Farce
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